Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United's title setback will only inspire his players to keep going to the last minute of the campaign.

United's lead over Chelsea has been pegged back to three points after the
weekend's matches, but Ferguson believes their 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough was a
point won rather than lost.

The Premier League leaders took the lead at an icy Riverside courtesy
of Cristiano Ronaldo's 37th goal of the season - but two goals from Brazilian
striker Afonso Alves put Boro ahead.

It was left to Wayne Rooney's late deflected effort to secure a share of the
spoils.

Ferguson said: 'We could have lost the game, there's no question. They had
some chances - and at times our defending was a bit haphazard, I thought.

'But at other moments we could have won the game, because some of the quality
of our football was terrific.

'The nature of the club is that we never give in, and that's a great quality
to have at this time of year.

'It sends out a signal to everyone that we will never give in. We will
stretch ourselves in every game as long as we can.'

Ferguson believes yesterday's result could yet turn out to be a
title-clincher.

'That point could be important, absolutely. Our goal difference is good
obviously, but we cannot take anything for granted,' he added.

'I said some weeks ago consistency will win us it and I think the most
consistent team will do that - and I hope that it's us.'

United still have to play Arsenal at home and visit Stamford Bridge, and Rio
Ferdinand has given Ferguson another defensive headache after leaving the
Riverside with his foot in a protective case.

Ferguson can ill afford to lose Ferdinand for long, with fellow centre-back
Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches coming up.

He said: 'I hope it's not serious with Rio, but he was limping for too long.

'The danger was to keep carrying on with him when he was limping he was not
playing at his full performance level.'

It looks unlikely Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg
against Roma this week, especially with Gerard Pique impressing Ferguson as a
replacement for the England defender.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is in little doubt the result has
thrown open the title race again.

Southgate said: 'I'm not bothered who wins, but the pleasing thing is that we
have shown we can compete with the three best football teams.

'United and Arsenal are better to watch, but Chelsea have a resilience. We
have thrown it open a bit today - which is good for the league.'

Alves' goals were his first for the club and the Brazilian said: 'It is a
dream come true for me to score my first goals, and especially for them to come
against Manchester United.

'I knew the goals would come - and now they have'

Southgate was effusive about Alves' contribution, adding: 'Last week he was
bright, and that was the first time we have created chances for him. We have
seen on the training ground that he's an excellent finisher.

'His finishes today were outstanding, and he has given everyone a glimpse of
what he can do.'

Southgate is convinced Middlesbrough came close to inflicting a defeat on the
league leaders.

'We had them rattled - we had them on the back foot,' he said.

'We responded very well to going a goal behind and right to the end had
chances.

'We have played simple but effective football and have asked questions. That
is the thing I'm always saying to the players about the top teams - can they
defend? A lot of teams don't ask those questions.'